Chronic Disease Risk Factors Among Adults Living in a Food Desert Highlight the Need for Nutrition Education

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess chronic disease risk factors among low-income adults living in a food desert in a southwestern urban community.Design, Setting and ParticipantsCross-section study of low-income adults from the University of Southern Indiana Community Health Centers. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire during scheduled medical appointment and submitted to clinical assessment. Dietary assessment was conducted using MEDFICTS.Outcome Measures and AnalysisBody weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, plasma glucose, glucose A1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured or obtained from the patient’s medical chart. Standard descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 21.ResultsIn the 32 patient sample, 71.9%; P < .013 were women. Education level ranged from less than high school (21.9%) to some college education (43.8%). Majority (59.3%; P < .007) of participants were unemployed, and lived below poverty level. Poor glucose control was higher (7.91 ± 1.98) among patients with more than high school education. Overall, obesity rate was high (39.74 ± 7.26). Weekly consumption of cheese (P = .04) and fried foods (P = .05) was significantly different by educational level. Food serving size for eggs (P = .003) and fried foods (P = .02) was significantly different by educational level.Conclusions and ImplicationsFindings highlight the staggering rates of morbid obesity and poor glucose control among the study sample. The findings underscore a pressing need to provide free nutrition education to manage weight and glucose A1c.FundingUniversity of Southern Indiana FRCWA Fund. ObjectiveTo assess chronic disease risk factors among low-income adults living in a food desert in a southwestern urban community. To assess chronic disease risk factors among low-income adults living in a food desert in a southwestern urban community. Design, Setting and ParticipantsCross-section study of low-income adults from the University of Southern Indiana Community Health Centers. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire during scheduled medical appointment and submitted to clinical assessment. Dietary assessment was conducted using MEDFICTS. Cross-section study of low-income adults from the University of Southern Indiana Community Health Centers. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire during scheduled medical appointment and submitted to clinical assessment. Dietary assessment was conducted using MEDFICTS. Outcome Measures and AnalysisBody weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, plasma glucose, glucose A1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured or obtained from the patient’s medical chart. Standard descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 21. Body weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, plasma glucose, glucose A1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured or obtained from the patient’s medical chart. Standard descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 21. ResultsIn the 32 patient sample, 71.9%; P < .013 were women. Education level ranged from less than high school (21.9%) to some college education (43.8%). Majority (59.3%; P < .007) of participants were unemployed, and lived below poverty level. Poor glucose control was higher (7.91 ± 1.98) among patients with more than high school education. Overall, obesity rate was high (39.74 ± 7.26). Weekly consumption of cheese (P = .04) and fried foods (P = .05) was significantly different by educational level. Food serving size for eggs (P = .003) and fried foods (P = .02) was significantly different by educational level. In the 32 patient sample, 71.9%; P < .013 were women. Education level ranged from less than high school (21.9%) to some college education (43.8%). Majority (59.3%; P < .007) of participants were unemployed, and lived below poverty level. Poor glucose control was higher (7.91 ± 1.98) among patients with more than high school education. Overall, obesity rate was high (39.74 ± 7.26). Weekly consumption of cheese (P = .04) and fried foods (P = .05) was significantly different by educational level. Food serving size for eggs (P = .003) and fried foods (P = .02) was significantly different by educational level. Conclusions and ImplicationsFindings highlight the staggering rates of morbid obesity and poor glucose control among the study sample. The findings underscore a pressing need to provide free nutrition education to manage weight and glucose A1c. Findings highlight the staggering rates of morbid obesity and poor glucose control among the study sample. The findings underscore a pressing need to provide free nutrition education to manage weight and glucose A1c.